Ignition system and switch therefor



Aug. 30, 1927.

w. HEMI NGWAY, JR IGNITION SYSTEM AND SWITCH THEREFOR Filed iig 28. 1924 2 She e1:fl shed:

Inueni/or mlson J emin 9wa y,Jr., /b I I v/ .Aug. 30, 1927. 1,641,140

w. HEMINGWAY, JR

IGNITION SYSTEM AND SWITCH THEREFOR Filed April 28, 1924 2 Sheets Sheet 2 In uenior:

Wilson Jfem ling/way, J22,

[ii-1 1s.

v Patented Aug. 30, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILSON HEK-INGWAY, JR., OI VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI, ASSIGNOB TO THE ELECTRO- LOCK IANUIACTUBING COMPANY, OF VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI, A OOBPORL'IIO OF IISSISSIPPI.

mmrron sYs'rim ms swrrcn Timur-on.

Application filed April as, 1024. Serial no. 709,090.

The principal purpose of this invention is to rovide more eflicient and dependable the t protection for automobiles b making it practically a physical impossi ility for the owner or operator to switch off the ignitionsystem in stopping the motor without first actuating an automatic lock mechanism associated with the switch and functioning, in locked position, to prevent reestablish- 1 ment and use of the ignition system except by a person having a proper key.

-To this end the invention consists essentially in the provision of a switch included in the ignition system in such manner as to constitute the sole means of disconnection between the source of current supply and the remaining components of the system such as the induction coils, spark plugs, etc., suitable locking means being associated with the switch and arranged to function automatically at an intermediate point in the actuation of the switch from closed to open position.

A'further purpose of the invention is to provide means included in: the switch for making and breaking the main generator circuit and the generator shunt field circuit simultaneously with establishment and disruption of the ignition system or circuit. A still further purpose of the invention is to provide a switch having the operating partsthereof so assembled and encased as to prevent unauthorized access to or manip-i ulation of such arts in the closed :position 36 of the: switch w ile permitting disassembly of the parts to be readily effected in the unlocked or open position of the switch.

A still further purpose of the invention is to rovide a casing for the induction coil assem ly including means enclosing the coil terminal connected to the battery 'or other source of current supply in such manner as to prevent access thereto.

Other purposes, advantages and characteristic features-of the invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings; in which a Fig. 1 is'a diagrammatic view of an ignition system including my-invention.

" Fi 2 is a partly diagrammatic .view' showing t eswitch mechanism in front elevation and the manner in which such mechanism is connected'to the generator and the storage battery.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the improved switch, and

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are fragmentary views similar to Fig. 3, but showing the switch members in diflerent positions. 1

Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 7-7 of Figure 4.

Preparatory to entering upon a detailed description of the subject matter disclosed in the present application I may state that the same is a modification of that disclosed in companion application, Serial Number 709,695, the subject matter of the present a plication being designed more particular y for automobiles other than those of the Ford type. Referring now more particularly to the switch structure illustrated in Figs. 3 to 7, inclusive, reference character 5 designates a casing in which the operating parts of the switch are -enclosed.- This casing ispreferably composed of hardened steel or other metal diflicult to cut or drill through in an effort to gain'access to the interiorneck portion. 12 pro ecting inwardly from the knob and formed integral therewith. At its inner end the nut 11 is nipped with a marginal flange 13 engaging t e lnner side of the ring 9. A screw 14 threaded through the nut and terminatin in a smooth tip or stem 15 entering a suita le socket 16 formed in the knob serves to lock the knob and nut against relative rotation necessary to separation thereof. The end of the conductor 8 shown in Fig. 2 extends inwardly through the neck 11 and terminates in an enlarged flat head 17 resting against the inner end between the nut 12 and insulating block 20 carrying a pair of contacts 21 and 22. The contact 21 is made of suflicient length to extend entirel through the block 20 and to project beyon one face of the block into engagement with the disk 18. The opposite end of the contact 21 and the corresponding end of the contact 22 are projected a slight distance beyond the opposite face of the block 20 for en agement with the movable contact hereinafter referred to. The inner or embedded end of the contact 22 is secured, preferably by threaded engagement, to the inner end of a binding post 23. This post extends laterally through the block 20 and through an insulated bushing 24 in the side wall of the casing 5 and is equip ed at its outer end with binding nuts 25. arried by the insulating block 20 at points intermediate contacts 21 and 22 are a second pair of contacts designated 26 and 27 secured respectively to suitable binding posts 28 and 29 projecting outwardly from the casing 5.

The central portion of the block 20 is hollowed out to provide a socket 30 in which is received one of the cylindrical ends of an insulating stem 31, the opposite cylindrical end of which is disposed in a central opening formed in a second insulating block 32 spaced from the block 20 through the medium of an interposed insulating shell 33. The stem 31 is shaped to provide a widened central portion and inclined surfaces 34 and 35 sloping downwardly in opposite directions from the central toward the cylindrical end portions of the stem. This stem is hollowed out to provide a central longitudinally extending bore 36 housing therein a spring 37 having one end bearing against the closed end of the bore and the other end bearing against the opposing or bottom wall of the recess 30. This stem serves as the actuator for the movable contact of the switch which comprises a ring sha ed casing 38 open at its inner periphery an containing a coil spring 39 closely embracing the stem 31 as shown to advantage in Fig. 2.

The end of the casing 5 remote from the knob 6 is provided with an inserted bushing 40 secured to the casing by a pin 41- passing through ali ed openings formed ,in the bushing an in the casing. This pin is widened at an intermediate pointto provide a shoulder 42 bearing against the inner wall of the casing and serving to prevent the pin from being drawn outwardly through the opening formed in the casing. The 1n is prevented from being displaced inwar y by reason of the fact that the inner end of the pin enga es the outer surfaceof a lock barrel 43 slida ly mounted in the; bushing the position shown in Fig. 3. In-order to limit the sliding movement of the barrel and prevent complete separation thereof from the casing 5 the outer surface of the barrel is provided with an elongated recess 44 in which is engaged the inner end of a stop pin 45 suitably carried by the bushing 40 and casin 5. The locking mechanism enclosed within the barrel 43 includes a spring projected bolt 46' adapted to automatically enter an opening 47 in the bushing 40' when the lock barrel is in its innermost position as shown in Fig. 3. v

It may be stated here that the position of parts disclosed in Fig. 3 is that assumed when the switch is in the locked or open position. In this position of the switch the various contacts carried by the insulator block 20 are disconnected from one another so that there can be no flow of current through the switch. When it is desired to close the switch the lock bolt 46 is retractcd from the opening 47 by means of .a suitable key 48 and the stem 31 and lock barrel 43 are then free to travel to the left under the influence of the spring 37 until the right hand end of the slot 44 contacts with the stop pin'45 to arrest further movement of the lock barrel. During this movement of the stem 31 the movable contact 38 remains in position against the inner face of block 32 until the central portion of the stem has passed through the spring 39 to the extent shown in Fig. 4. atwhich time the pressure of the spring 39 acting on the inclined surface 35 will cause the movable contact to snap to the right into engagement with the contacts carried by the block 20, as shown to advantage in Fig. 5. In this closed posi tion of the switch, current supplied to the binding post 23 will pass from contact 22 through contacts 38, 21- and cop er disk 18 to the conductor 8 through who it is conveyed to the induction coils as later set forth. In like manner current supplied to th'ebinding post 28 will pass through the contact26, movable contact 38 and contacts 22 and 27 to the binding posts 23 and 29.

In practice, the switch mechanism of my invention is embodied in a system of distribution as shown to advantage in Figs. 1

and 2. In these fi ures it will be noted that the end of the cab e 7 opposite that secured to casing 5 is anchored within the neck portion 49 of the casing 50 enclosing the induction coil or transformer assembly 51. At this end of the cable the conductor 8 is connected, through the prime. the induction coil and a suita le resistance 52, to the breaker or interrupter oints 53. The high tension terminal 54 of t e induction 0011 is connected in the usual manner to the distributor 55. Current for the induction coil is su plied from a suitable 40 and capable of movement to the left from stora e battery 56 avin its insulated terwinding ofed. The binding posts 28 and 29 are connected by leads 28' and 29 to the main and shunt field circuits of the generator 58 so that the making and breaking of the generator circuits will occur simultaneously with the making and breaking of the ignition circuit or system. It is, however, only necessary to provide this latter arrangement for use on certain automobiles using a certain type of shunt generator which, if left connected to the battery after the i nition circuit is broken, might cause the s unt winding to be damaged or cause the storage battery to be completely discharged. When the movable contact 38 of the switch is in the position shown in Fig. 5 current from the battery flows through contacts 22, 38, 21 and disk 18 to the conductor 8 connected to the primarv winding of the induction coil. The bridging of the contacts 26 and 27 by the movable contact 38 also serves to simultaneously close the'generator circuits as and for the purpose previously set forth. When it is desired to disrupt the ignition circuit, this is accomplished by pushing or forcing the lock barrel 43 inwardly to the right from the position shown in Fig. 5 to the position shown in Fig. 3. Thisbarrel being in engagement with the adjacent end .of the stem 31 causes the latter to move in surface 34 will cause the movable contact 38 of the switch to snap to the left to assume the position shown in Fig. 3, thus breaking the connection between the various contacts carried by the block 20. The switch is so constructed that during the movement of the lock barrel and ste 31 to the ri ht from the position shown in ig. 5 the olt 46 will reachand enter the opening 47 just before the central portion of the stem reaches the position shown in Fig. 6 so that the looking of the-switch will take place sli htly earlier than the actual separation of the switch contacts, thus making it practically a'physical impossibility to open the ignition circuit without first actuating the locking mechanism which functions to prevent reestablishment and use of the circuit, except by authorized persons. In further explanation of this feature of the invention, it is pointed out that the o ening 47 is made sufliciently larger than the bo1t46 so that the latter after entering the opening is capable of a limited movement therein sufiicient to permit the lock barrel and the' stem 31 to continue to travel to the right until the central portion of the stem reaches the position shown in Fig. 6 at which time openin of the switch occurs as previously descri d.

The permissible movement of the bolt 46 in the opening 47 is not, however, sufliciently great" to ermit retrograde movement of the stem to t ev extent necessary to effect closure, of the switch.

It will be noted, as disclosed in Fig. 3, that theoperating parts of the switch are assembled and encased in such manner that unauthorized manipulation or access to such parts is rendered practically impossible in the closed position of the switch. In this connection it is pointed out that the outer end of thepin 41 holding the bushing 40 to the casing 5 is flush with the outer surface of the said casing and this, in conjunction with the shoulder 42 with which said pin is provided serves to render it impossible to pull the pin outwardly for the purpose of releasing the bushing for removal. 'Displacement of the pin inwardly is prevented y reason of the fact that the inner end of the pin is in engagement with the outer surface of the lock barrel43 in both the open and closed positions of the switch. Removal of the barrel 43from the bushing 40 is prevented in the locked position of the switch by engagement of the bolt 46 in the opening 47. The knob 6 at the opposite end of the casing is prevented from being disen gaged from the nut 11 by means of the screw 14 which is so positioned as to be accessible upon removal of the parts between the nut 11 and the remote end of the casing. How ever, disassembly of the switch members is rendered a comparatively easy matter for persons having a proper key to the lock arrel 43. It is simply necessary in the locked position of the switch to first remove the stop pin 45 so that when the key 48 is inserted in the lock barrel and manipulated to withdraw the bolt 46 from the opening 47, the lock barrel may be completely removed from the bushing 40. The pin 41 can then be driven inwardly through the aligned openings in the casingand bushing to free the latter for removal from the casing. On removal of the bushing 40 it is obvious that insulating block 32, shell 33, stem 31 and movable contact 38 are free to be removed through the left hand end of the casing. The binding post 23 is then disengaged from the contact 22 and removed to permit the block 20, insulating rin 19 and copper disk 18 to be withdrawn f i'om the casing.-

Removal of these latter parts exposes the Jill It and a locking mechanism with means wheremined distance in a switch opening direction,

ciprocal to engage or separate said contacts to thereby close or open: the switch, means vnormally tending to urge said member to a tionary and movable contact means, a reciprocal spindle provided with oppositely sloping inclines engageable with the movabe contact means to shift same into or out of engagement with the stationary contact means upon reciprocation of the spindle, and means for locking the spindle in a contact separating position, said locking mechanism becoming effective at a time not later than the instant of opening the switch.

7 In combination, a switch including stationary and movable contact means, a reciprocal spindle provided with oppositely s10 ing inclines cngageable with the movabe contact means to shift same into or out of engagement with the stationary contact means upon. reciprocation of the spindle, and means for locking the spindle in a contact separating position, said means bein arranged to become effective aitomaticafiy at a time not later than the instant of separating the contacts.

8. In combination, a switch including stationary and movable contacts, a reciprocal spindle provided with means for actuating the movable contacts to engage said contacts with the stationary contacts when the spindle is moved in one direction to thereby close the switch and to separate the movable and stationary contacts on movement of the spindle in the reverse direction to thereby open the switch, means normally tending to move said spindle to a switch closin position, a movable follower engageable withone against disassembly in locked position may be readily taken apart upon releasement and removal of the locking mechanism.

In the foregoing Ihave described what I now consider to be preferred embodiment of my invention and it is to be understood that various changes may be resorted to in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as designed in the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention:

1. A locking device comprising a switch by the locking device operates at a time not later than the instant of opening the switch.

2. In combination, a switch, switch closing means normally tending to urge the'switch to closed position, a member movableto open the switch against the resistance of the switch closing means, and a lock. mechanism functional to prevent retrograde movement of said member when the-latter is moved in a switch opening direction, said lock mechanism being arranged to become effective automatically at a time not later than the opening of the switch.

3. In combination, a switch including a member reciprocal to open and close said switch and a lock mechanism functional to pievent retrograde movementlof said memr when the latter has traveled a predetersaid locking mechanism becoming effective at a time not later than the instant of opening the switch.

4. In combination, a switch including sta. tionary and movable contacts, a member rethe spindle to a switch closing position and a.means for locking the follower and spindle in a switch opening position, said locking mechanism becoming effective at a time not later than the instant of opening the switch. 9. The combination of a switch including an enclosing casing, an actuating member reciprocal in said casing to effect opening and closing of said switch and a lock mechanism contained within the actuating memleer and including a spring'projected bolt adapted to automatically enter an opening in the casing when the actuatin member has been moved a predetermined istance in a. switch opening direction and at a time not later than the actual opening of the switch.

ill. it locking device comprising in combination, a switch, and a locking mechanism. cooperating therewith comprisin means whereby an on movement of said swltch to its open pa itlon, said inching mechanism ante matically moves to its lcclred position sub llw at instant of separation inlet a,

switch closing position, means for moving said member to a switch opening position, and means functional during the last mentioned movement of said member to lock the member against retrograde movement at an instant not later than the opening of the switch. v i

5. In combination, a switch including tionary and movable contact means, a recip rocal member provided with inclines enga able with the movable contact means to 1 sin?" same into or out at engagement with the tionar u contact means to thereby close a open the switch in reciprocation o meml'mr, spring as narn ly tend more said nien w in adirectica to on the r arable ionarn comprising in coral i L up; device and a. la

bormvith, corny n movement or x a, all, in .aa cl 0:

lflll that its locked position, substantially at the initiation of movement of the circuit controlling deviceto said ofl' position.

12. A switch comprising spaced stationary contacts, a movable contact, means for shifting the movable contact into or out of engagement with the stationary contacts comspindle in the opposite direction and lockmg means functioning automaticallyduring the second mentioned movement of the spindle to lock the stationary and movable contacts in separated position. v

13. A switch comprising spaced stationary contacts, a movable contact for bridging the stationary contacts when engaged therewith, a reciprocable spindle, coacting means carried by the movable contact and spindle to snap the movable contact into engagement with the'stationary contacts on movement of the spindle in one direction and to. snap the. movable contact out of engagement with the aforesaid stationar contacts on movement of the spindle in t e opposite direction and means functioning automatically'to lock the spindle against return movement when shifted in the direction to separate the movable contact from the stationary contacts, said means being arranged to act at an instant not later than the actual separation of the contacts.

14. A, switch comprising spaced stationary contacts, a movable contact for bridging the stationary contacts when engaged therewith, a reciprocablespindle, coacting means carried by the spindle and movable contact for snapping said movable contact into engagement w1th the stationary contacts on movement of the spindle in one direction and to snap the movable contact out of engagement with the stationary contacts on movement of the spindle in the opposite direction, a spring normally tending to move the spindle in a direction to effect engagement of the movable and stationary contacts, a follower for vmoving the spindle in the opposite direction and against the resistance of the spring to effect separation of the contacts and means for automatically looking the follower and spindle in contact separating position, saidmeans acting during and in such timed relation to the contact separating movement of the spindle that the locking of the spindle. against reverse movement occurs at an instant not later than the actual separation of the contact.

15. A switch comprising spaced stationary contacts, a movablecontact for bridging said stationary contacts when engaged therewith, a reciprocable spindle,'coacting means carried by the spindle and movable contact to snap the movable contact into or out of engagement with the stationary contacts dependent on the direction in which the spindle is moved, a spring arranged to urge the spindle in one direction to engage the sta -i 'tionary and movable contacts, means for moving the spindle in the opposite direction against the resistance of said spring to eflect separation of the contacts, said means embodying a locking mechanism including abolt of the automatically projected type and a casing enclosing the aforementioned parts and provided with an opening in which said bolt automaticall engages duringmovement of the spind e in a contact separating direction and at an instant not later than the actualseparation of the contacts.

signature.

WILSON HEMINGWAY, JR. 

